International Journal of Value Chain Management (13 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Involving Suppliers in Collaborative New Product Development. Comparing Large and Small firms  
  by Luís Filipe Silva, António Moreira 
  Abstract: The main purpose of this article is to investigate Early Supplier Involvement (ESI) in Collaborative New Product Development (CNPD). For that a comparative study between Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large firms was implemented according to the generated innovation. It is based on an exploratory approach, based on case studies involving four firms that involve their suppliers in CNPD. Results show that ESI in CNPD takes place when large firms seek to differentiate their products and SMEs aim to increase their efficiency. The paper further shows that radical innovation promotes ESI in CNPD, both regarding SMEs and large firms. This study contributes to the body knowledge regarding the influence of radical innovation in early supplier involvement in CNPD, by adding a comparative perspective between SMEs and large firms.
  Keywords: Collaborative New Product Development; New product Development; SMEs; Large Firms.
  
  
• Willingness to adopt aquaculture as an alternative livelihood option a case study of the fishers and livestock farmers of Adamawa State, Nigeria  
  by Suleiman D Bello, Krishna R. Salin, John K. M. Kuwornu 
  Abstract: Nigerian farmers have limited options for livelihood, despite the abundant resources available. A case study of Nigerias Adamawa State was done by evaluating the perception of fishing and livestock farming communities on aquaculture. Data were obtained from 324 households, employing a multi-stage cluster sampling procedure and a semi-structured questionnaire. A binary Logit regression model was applied to examine the influence of socioeconomic, technical, and institutional factors on the choice of aquaculture as an alternative livelihood option. The results revealed that approximately 67% and 90% of the artisanal fisherfolks and livestock farmers were willing to adopt aquaculture as an alternative livelihood option, while age, occupation, fishing experience, education level, and perception of fish demand were the significant influencing factors. Encouraging the formally educated, young artisanal fisherfolks to engage in small scale aquaculture will enhance the food and nutritional security of a rapidly growing population in Nigeria.
  Keywords: fishing; livestock; aquaculture; fishers; herders; farming; river Benue; household; socioeconomic; communities; livelihood.
  
  
• Struggling with conservatism: entrepreneurships challenges in business model design  
  by Ignat Kulkov, Magnus Hellström, Kim Wikström 
  Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the conservative business ecosystem and to identify opportunities for new companies to create value. Authors used a design-oriented case study with a start-up concentrating on the commercialization of the university research. The authors consider a novel business model used by the start-up company. By analyzing the model, methods are proposed for accelerating the company and the business ecosystem. The results indicate that cooperation between the product suppliers and opinion leaders plays a key role in supporting the biomedical business ecosystem. The probability of success for a new product depends on the interest of the professional community. The results add to the existing knowledge on business models for start-up companies to succeed without business expertise and extensive business network. The transformation of customers to partners stimulates the emergence of a new business model that takes into account the new role of a "client-partner".
  Keywords: conservative business; business model design; business barriers.
  
  
• A Model ISM-MICMAC for managing risk in agri-food supply chain: an investigation from the Andean region of Peru  
  by Edgar Ramos, Timothy Pettit, Mamun Habib, Melissa Chavez 
  Abstract: During recent years, supply chain risks have gained importance in the food supply chain. This study presents a methodology to analyse the risk in the Agri-food supply chain belonging to the Andean region in Peru. It utilises the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) with matrice d impacts croises multiplication appliqu
  Keywords: Agri-food supply chain; supply chain; risk management; ISM; MICMAC; Peru.
  
  
• Evaluations of International Brand Alliances  
  by Günay Kurtuldu, Abdullah Okumus 
  Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to understand how Turkish consumers evaluate international brand alliances (IBAs) in terms of perceived fit, ethnocentrism, collectivism, perceived foreignness, attitudes, and purchase intentions variables. The findings show that there are positive relationships between attitude and perceived fit, perceived foreignness, and collectivism while the relationship between attitude and ethnocentrism is negative. Also, while there are positive relationships between purchase intentions and perceived fit, and attitude; a relationship between purchase intentions and ethnocentrism could not be determined. Moreover, positive relationships between ethnocentrism and collectivism, and perceived foreignness were identified.
  Keywords: International Brand Alliance; Brand Alliance; Perceived Fit; Ethnocentrism; Collectivism; Perceived Foreignness; Attitude; Purchase Intention; Structural Equation Modeling.
  
  
• Competence development needs for micro-enterprises entering servitisation  
  by Kyllikki Taipale-Erävala, Matti Muhos, Katariina Ala-Rämi 
  Abstract: Servitisation, as a means to drive growth, provides a great business opportunity for micro-enterprises (micros), offering the possibility of longer and more profitable customer relationships. However, such enterprises possess limited human resources and, thus, competences. Competence-related challenges must be understood in order to operate successfully in the field of servitisation. This study produces new knowledge about competence development needs. The study material consists of interviews conducted in ten Finnish subcontracting micros in the fields of forestry, agriculture, and mining. Using a multiple case approach allows for an extensive examination of the insufficiently studied phenomenon of interest micros engaging in servitisation utilising Tukkers (2004) productservice system. The results contribute both academically and practically by showing that micros face competence-related servitisation challenges in terms of entrepreneurship, change management, and financing. The study broadens Tukkers productservice categorisation to include product manufacturing industries that offer assembly services.
  Keywords: micro-enterprises; competences; servitisation; case study; human resource management.
  
  
• PURCHASE OF FOOD IN LARGE PACKAGES IN THE ASPECT OF FOOD WASTE IN POLAND  
  by Magdalena Ankiel, Urszula Samotyja 
  Abstract: Food waste has become one of the top issues for individuals and organizations involved in food marketing and food policy. The presence of food waste and ways to reduce food waste has generated debate among industry stakeholders, policymakers, and consumer groups. Among the key reasons for wasting food in households, first of all, non-consumption of the product in a timely manner is given, which results in its deterioration or expiration. In the article, the authors presented the results of research on purchasing and consumption behaviour on the food market in Poland, with particular emphasis on buying products in large packaging. The survey results show that in Poland only
  Keywords: retail stores; food waste; food labelling; large packages; food purchase; distribution; shelf life labelling; expiration; food waste reducing; consumption behaviour; value chain.
  
  
• Inventory Management and Performance of Manufacturing Firms  
  by Rashmi Ranjan Panigrahi, Duryodhan Jena, Deepak Tandon, Jamini Ranjan Meher, Padma Charan Mishra, Ansuman Sahoo 
  Abstract: Inventory management practices (IMP) are prevalent in managing and controlling inventory in an organization. It is pertinent to know that the effective use of IMP is a critical success factor for any medium and large manufacturing firms. Inventory management practices deal with inventory control techniques and inventory automation techniques. The firms performance can be achieved through operational efficiency and competitive strength. The study aims to measure the performance of steel manufacturing firms by determining the effect of Distribution turnover and Inventory Automation over competitive strength and operational efficiencies. From the extant literature, it is evident that the above relationship is very limited in the Indian context. To establish the empirical relationship, data were collected from five selected manufacturing firms from the leading mineral reserve state of Odisha. Respondents of the study are some key officials viz., operations manager, production manager, purchase manager, store cum warehouse manager from various manufacturing firms. As per the need of the study, various statistical tools such as correlation, multiple regression, confirmatory factor analysis and Kolmogorov -Smirnov test were used. The outcome of the study concludes that IMP has significant impact on firm performance and also contributes to the existing body of knowledge by helping inventory management practitioners of manufacturing industry.
  Keywords: Firms Performance; Inventory Management Practices; Manufacturing Firms; Operational Efficiency; Productivity Performance.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJVCM.2021.10033598
   
  
• THE ROLE OF EUROPEAN LOGISTICS ASSOCIATION 2020 STANDARDS IN FACING MODERN INDUSTRY EXPECTATIONS AND LOGISTICS MANAGERS COMPETENCIES  
  by Franca CANTONI, Paolo Gaetano Bisogni, Tarvo Niine, Helmut Zsifkovits, Halina Brdulak 
  Abstract: Logistics industry and its operating environment is rapidly changing and evolving. The European Logistics Association, ELA, is actively keeping standards of logistics competence up to date to meet these challenges. This paper reflects on two sessions of experimental workshops working with logistics industry leaders to formulate modern era required competencies in emerging areas of logistics. The purpose of this research is twofold: to identify and understand industry expectations of skillsets in employing logistics specialists and managers in terms of digitalization, resilience and sustainability and to observe the commonalities in perceived competence requirements as stated by involved stakeholders in order to evaluate the maturity of the focal concepts on a practical field. This study contrasts three methods of workshop practice on formulating the expectations and allows additional observations on the homogeneity / heterogeneity of the three focal as expressed by industry leaders. The results emerged have practical implications on specialists working in the field, companies, HR departments, Universities and ELA itself.
  Keywords: logistics competence model; supply chain skills; digitalization; resilience; sustainability; competence expectations.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJVCM.2021.10033421
   
  
• Relationship between public support for research and development, and companies business performance  
  by Valerij Dermol, Vesna Skrbinjek 
  Abstract: This paper focuses on company's business performance by considering its research and development activities, participation in publicly funded research projects and collaboration with various research institutions. The data managed by Slovenian Research Agency was used where relevant information on scientific publishing for companies, as well as research institutions, are documented. The data was analysed by using SEM approach, in a total of 272 companies. The study confirms that companies participation in publicly funded R&D projects enhances their internal capabilities in terms of human and social capital, as well as their scientific impact, however, a slightly negative impact on companies' business performance was detected. Scientific impact of companys researchers reflected by their scientific publishing seems positively related to the business performance, although the link is quite weak. The study negates the existence of a moderating impact of a company size on the relationship between participation in R&D projects and business performance.
  Keywords: research and development; research activities; company; business performance; PLS structural modelling.
  
  
• Assessment of rice yield prediction models based on big data analytics for better supply chain decision making in Thailand  
  by Sumanya Ngandee, Attaphongse Taparugssanagorn, Chutiporn Anutariya, John K. M. Kuwornu 
  Abstract: This study examined rice yield prediction models based on historical datasets (1989-2017) for the main type of in-season rice cultivated in Thailand. Models were generated using the Machine learning (ML) algorithms: Generalized Linear Model (GLM), Feed-Forward Neural Network (FFNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest (RF). The prediction models were evaluated using Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and R2 statistic. The results show that the FFNN outperforms the other models for rice yield prediction accuracy. While FFNNs prediction model building Big-O complexity and computation time exceeds other models, its execution of predictions takes least computation time. The practical implication of this study is to improve the quality of agricultural information dissemination services to farmers, wholesalers, retailers, middlemen, processors, financial institutions, policy makers and the general public for the development of Thailands agricultural sector, rice supply chains and the economy as a whole.
  Keywords: Precision Agriculture; Crop Yield Prediction; Forecasting; Big Data Analytics; Thailand.
  
  
• International Aspects of the Pork Production Value Chain in the Czech Republic  
  by Jaroslav Havlicek, Karel Sredl, Helena Rezbova, Lubos Smutka, Ludmila Domeova, Lucie Severova, Tomas Subrt, Roman Svoboda 
  Abstract: This paper presents a time analysis of the prices of pork in the food value chain for 5 European countries from 2010 to 2018 with respect to the position of small farms in the European market. The data analysis has shown that there is a significant difference between the live weight of pig prices of German producers and other producers in the five selected European countries. An economic performance comparison of Czech and German pork processing plants (slaughterhouses) has revealed the existence of a strong oligopoly at the given level of the value chain, more so in Germany, and their economic ties to primary production companies. Retail chains selling their private pork brands can afford to market them for a cost that is up to 20 % lower than the average price nationwide, which is beneficial for both businesses (higher sales) and consumers (lower price).
  Keywords: live weight pig prices; oligopoly; pig; pig prices evolution; pork meat; pork neck; price; primary production; retail chain; slaughterhouse; time series modelling; value chain.
  
  
• Supply Chain Management and Blockchain: bridging the antecedents of the technology with the status quo of Use Case Applications  
  by Yvonne Ziegler, Vincenzo Uli 
  Abstract: Blockchain technology has been characterized as a disruptive technology in multiple business contexts, including supply chain and logistics management. However, being at the centre of the academic debate since the beginning, the unique value proposition levers of blockchain (i.e. durability, transparency, immutability and process integrity) have never been connected to real-world applications on an empirical ground. In addition, how and to what extent do these real-world applications make use of this innovative technology? Our paper, aimed at enriching the conversation about real use case scenarios specific to the supply chain industry, is presented as a multiple case study leveraging a coding strategy that is structured around the reference literature on the topic. In particular, we cover seven companies that are operating blockchain networks in different supply chain and logistics contexts. The paper ultimately addresses the need for both practitioners and researchers to connect the dots between the blockchain networks and their empirical implementation within the supply chain industry.
  Keywords: Blockchain; Supply Chain; Logistics; Case studies; Internet of Things; Business Innovation Model.